7 Tips for Local Social Media Marketing

Are you a local business owner looking to amp your customer interaction? Well, look no farther than social media.

While that may seem too easy to be true, there’s really a lot of power in social interactions on the internet. But won’t that disconnect you from your customers, since you’re well, local? Actually, no, it won’t.

Social media provides a great place for you interact with customers besides in person. It’s great for marketing your company and services while keeping a conversation going.

Local social media marketing is a great strategy for success. Look around and you’ll probably see that other local companies do it too.

So how can you use social media to market your business locally? Here are seven tips for doing just that.

1. Let Locals Determine the Platforms You Use

There are many social media platforms for you to choose from. So how do you know which one(s) to use?

While Facebook may seem the obvious go-to, it may not be the best option for you.

How so? Well, using Facebook for your business would be pointless if your locals don’t use that platform.

Ask your local customers which social media platforms they use on a regular basis. Maybe it’s Facebook, maybe it’s not. Twitter, Instagram, or something else may be a better option.

Go with the platform(s) that will provide you with the most interaction possible. You want to be where your audience is. If you’re not, you won’t reach them.

Whether you use comment cards, a survey, or an email blast, reach out to your customers, then determine where to set up your company’s social media presence.

2. Learn How to Market on Social Media

It’s hard to use something to your advantage if you don’t know how to use it in the first place. And by using social media, we don’t just mean posting when you feel like it.

Learn how to set up a company page, then learn how that platform specifically works.

What kind of posts do people like to see? What makes them share? How can you grab their attention?

Make sure you know how to get your post seen, especially by your target audience. Each social media platform will have its own rules and aids for marketing, so make sure you know them inside and out. The better you know them, the better you can use them to your advantage.

3. Use Social Media For Story Telling

Local business owners can really help customers connect with them by telling the company’s story. And we don’t mean one post that tells the company’s history.

Tell your story as you interact with your customers.

Talk about your grand opening, anniversaries, milestones, and more. Are you moving? Talk about it.

Opening a new location? Great! Make sure the locals know.

As you share your story, your customers will come to know you, which will enhance their trust in your company. Allow them to take part in your story by throwing celebrations and asking for memories. Let them add their side of the story.

4. Interact With Customers Consistently

To make the most of your social media outlet(s), you must interact with your customers on a consistent basis. That doesn’t mean you have to post every hour or even every day, but it does mean you have to post regularly.

Have a plan, don’t just post at random. Make sure you stick to somewhat of a schedule, or you may end up accidentally forgetting to post for a while.

Sites like Hootsuite allow you to schedule your posts. This is a great option if you have several posts in mind but need to spread them out without forgetting to share them.

Your responses should be consistent, too. Make sure you’re regularly checking for customer interaction and that you interact right back. Try to answer any questions or comments within a day or two.

Go for genuine interaction. Don’t be so focused on getting content out there that you forget to be genuine.

5. Don’t Post Boring Content

Everything you post on social media should be engaging, not boring. Boring won’t encourage your customers to do anything, except maybe scroll right on by.

Make sure your content is interesting to locals specifically. You want them to share it, so speak directly to them, their needs, and their interests.

Let them see through your company a little bit. Allow for peeks at the goings-on of your company behind the scenes. If you’re thinking of opening a new location, ask them if they want it.

Using images is a great way to enhance your content. Multimedia is much more eye-catching than plain old words.

6. Use Social Media For Special Events

Social media is a great outlet for getting the word out about events. Use it to complement your local physical marketing content!

People love contests and giveaways, so don’t be afraid to use them. Involve your social media pages by selecting winners there, or requiring people to share in order to get an entry.

In your physical advertising, direct people to your social media site(s) to get them interacting.

7. Use Social Media Ad Programs

There’s a good chance that your social media platform of choice has an ad program built in, so use it to your advantage.

Both Twitter and Facebook offer ads programs that you can customize. Choose your budget, audience, location, whatever. Make it work for you.

Don’t forget to include a call to action in your ads. Don’t just tell people about something. Get them to do something, like following a link.

In your ads, specifically target the people you’re wanting to reach. This will enhance your regular local marketing, and help spread the word about your company.

Local Social Media Marketing At It’s Best

The best local social media marketing will keep your customers involved and help them feel that you really care. Your social media channels are a great way to converse with locals and keep them interested in your business.

Social media shouldn’t replace your local marketing; it should add to it. Use both to maximize your interaction with customers.

There are countless ways social media can benefit your marketing strategy. Keep these seven tips in mind and you’ll be well on your way to using social media to your advantage.

If you have questions or comments on this article, or about using social media in your marketing, visit our site to contact us today. We’d love to hear from you!